quadriceps

American

[kwod-ruh-seps] / ˈkwɒd rəˌsɛps /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

quadricepses, quadriceps

a large muscle in front of the thigh, the action of which extends the leg or bends the hip joint.

quadriceps British

/ ˈkwɒdrɪˌsɛps, ˌkwɒdrɪˈsɪpɪtəl /

noun

anatomy a large four-part muscle of the front of the thigh, which extends the leg

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

quadriceps Scientific

/ kwŏd′rĭ-sĕps′ /

The large, four-part muscle at the front of the thigh that arises in the hip and pelvis and inserts as a strong tendon below the kneecap (patella). The quadriceps straightens and helps stabilize the knee.

Other Word Forms

quadricipital adjective

Etymology

Origin of quadriceps

1830–40; < New Latin, equivalent to quadri- quadri- + -ceps; biceps

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s primarily the hamstrings and quadriceps, but everything, including the glutes, calves, hips and core, counts.

From Los Angeles Times

A few miles later, the Webbs dropped out with muscle cramps, a pulled quadriceps and an injured knee between them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Though Freeman, who also battled a minor quadriceps injury in recent weeks, still looks hobbled while running the bases and playing defense at times, he insisted the problems aren’t injury-related.

From Los Angeles Times

The 25-year-old participated in practice Wednesday for the first time after missing the last three games with a quadriceps injury.

From Los Angeles Times

One study, conducted on participants who did a series of squats designed to make their quadriceps sore, suggested that moist heat penetrates deeper into tissue faster and works more quickly than dry heat.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023